Harvick wins at Chicago: #29-Kevin Harvick won the Tropicana 400 at Chicagoland Speedway, his 2nd win of the 2001 season and the 2nd in his 17th Winston Cup start. #77-Robert Pressley had a great run and finished a career best 2nd, his previous best finish of third came in 1998 at Texas and Pressley's first top five since Michigan on June 2000 when he finished 5th. The Winston Cup points lead really tightened up with #24-Jeff Gordon and #88-Dale Jarrett tied with the lead at 2,515 points with #28-Ricky Rudd just 18 behind. Gordon is technically still the points leader - based on more second-place finishes that Jarrett so far this year. See That's Racin' for Tropicana 400 results, Winston Cup points (after Chicago), and Winston Cup race points for Chicago (7-15-2001)

and Mike Skinner? UPDATE: It was what Richard Childress didn't say about Mike Skinner on Saturday that will only fuel speculation about the driver's future in the #31 Chevy. During the announcement that Jeff Green will drive the #30 car sponsored by America Online for Richard Childress Racing next year, the car owner was asked about Skinner. "We have another year with Mike Skinner and another year with (sponsor) Lowe's," Childress said. "What we're doing now is just revisiting our whole RCR organization. ...We might be able to make more announcements like that next month." Asked specifically if Skinner's contract meant he would definitely be in the car next year, Childress gave a similarly non-definitive answer.(That's Racin')UPDATE: Richard Childress clarified one piece of his ongoing Winston Cup jigsaw puzzle Saturday when he announced Jeff Green would drive his #30 AOL Chevy in 2002. That still left the status of #31 Lowe’s Chevrolet driver Mike Skinner up in the air. Childress, who at Sears Point last month said he and Skinner would discuss their options and decide if they wanted to make a change in the next few weeks, seemingly extended that “deadline” Saturday. “We have another year with Mike Skinner and another year with Lowe's,” Childress said. “What we're doing now is just revisiting our whole RCR organization. We're in the mix of trying some things that I don't think other teams have done. We're going to put all three teams together. We're going to have all the crew chiefs together. Right now, we've got several other things that we're trying at RCR and this was a huge step to go with AOL and all. AOL was so good to work with through what happened in Daytona and us taking Kevin out of that car and putting him into the No. 29 car and put Jeff into it. We have a lot of things like that to work out. We might be able to make more announcements like that (regarding the No. 31 team) next month.”(NASCAR.com Buzz)(7-15-2001)

Sprague Staying in CTS: Jack Sprague emphasized at Kentucky Speedway that not only was he not looking to get out of the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series -- it was quite likely that he would end his career there. “I'm going to stay in this truck as long as this truck is running unless a good Winston Cup deal comes along -- and a good deal would be with Rick or very few others,” said Sprague. “That hasn't happened. I love what I am doing. I have a great team. Dennis (Connor, crew chief) and I have been together for seven years and that's very rare.”(NASCAR.com Buzz)(7-15-2001)

Nelson Speaks on Penalty UPDATE Stewart Column: Winston Cup series director Gary Nelson, who was involved in the post-race altercations by driver Tony Stewart last week at Daytona, said he isn't surprised by the varied reactions to the penalty assessed Stewart by NASCAR on Wednesday. NASCAR fined Stewart $10,000 and extended his probation through the end of the 2001 season for confrontations with Nelson and Winston-Salem Journal motorsports writer Mike Mulhern last weekend. Stewart was also told to apologize to Mulhern and NASCAR fans. "I think it's like any decision NASCAR makes; I've heard it both ways. I've heard people say it was too much, I've heard it wasn't enough, I've heard we should have handled it differently," Nelson said. "It's pretty much like we're batting a thousand with decisions we make. We're not pleasing everybody. That's the way it works."(That's Racin')UPDATE: Winston-Salem Journal motorsports writer Mike Mulhern has a column up about Tomy Stewart at Tony the Tiger - Stewart brings an unbridled passion to his work(7-15-2001)

Jeff Green to RCR #30 Cup team? UPDATE 6 Green is it: RPM 2Nights Ray Dunlap reported on Monday's show, that 2001 BGN Champ and current BGN #10 driver Jeff Green will soon be named as the full time driver of the #30 Richard Childress Racing team for the 2002 season. Green currently is running the #30 AOL car on a limited schedule in Cup for RCR(ESPN2 RPM 2Night)(7-3-2001)UPDATE: FSN's Totally NASCAR reports Green will sign with RCR, but it is unknown which RCR car he will drive (#'s 29, 30 or 31), sources tell me that Green will be in the #31 Lowes Chevy for the 2002 season(7-4-2001)UPDATE 2: Childress gave no official word Thursday on his driver lineup for next year. According to some reports, Jeff Green will join RCR in one of three cars, but Childress was tight-lipped. “We hope to have things finalized by next week,” Childress said. “We’re hoping that if everything goes well, we’ll be able to have a little press conference and talk about RCR next week in Chicago.”(RacingOne)UPDATE 3: Jeff Green will move to Richard Childress Racing next season and drive the #30 Chevrolets sponsored by America Online in the Winston Cup series. Green, who drives for ppc Racing in the Grand National series, is already driving the #30 for RCR this season for seven races. The #30 was originally scheduled to be Kevin Harvick's Winston Cup ride, but he moved to RCR's No. 29 following the death of Dale Earnhardt, who was killed in a last-lap wreck in the season-opening Daytona 500. Green is also likely to drive several races in the BGN next season in RCR's #21 entry, sources said. An official announcement of Green's plans is scheduled for next Saturday at Chicagoland Speedway. In addition, Harvick is scheduled to continue driving RCR's #2 entry in the BGN next season, as well as remain in the #29 car. He will run up to 20 BGN races. The future of Mike Skinner, driver of RCR's #31 Chevy, remains uncertain(That's Racin')(7-6-2001)UPDATE 4: hearing Green has already signed a 3-Year deal with RCR and while it is unknow which car he will drive, it is looking like it'll be the #30 Chevy(7-9-2001)UPDATE 5: With his team adding a third Winston Cup car next season, Richard Childress will announce the addition of defending Busch series champ Jeff Green to his stable of Cup drivers at a news conference Saturday. Childress previously announced a three-year sponsorship deal with America Online. Green, who qualified the #30 Chevy in the 29th position for Sunday's Tropicana 400, is assured of the ride when the car races full-time on the Winston Cup circuit next season. "It'll be official" Childress said after qualifying ended Friday. The ride had been intended for Kevin Harvick, but Harvick stepped into the GM Goodwrench Chevrolet after the death of Dale Earnhardt.(CNN/SI)UPDATE 6: Details on the Jeff Green...RCR...AOL deal...3 year contract. "This is an opportunity I got from driving for Dale Eanrhardt's Busch team in 1995," said Jeff Green. "I am excited about this chance to win races for Chevy." Childress Racing News Conference...RCR racing announced that Jeff Green will drive the number 30 AOL Monte Carlo for the 2002 season.(Frontstretch)(7-14-2001)AND Saturday, Jeff Green cemented his deal to join Richard Childress Racing as the full-time driver of the #30 Chevy sponsored by America Online for at least the next three seasons. Green has already been working with the team on a part-time basis this season. This weekend is his third of seven races planned for the #30 this season. Todd Berrier, crew chief for Kevin Harvick's #2 BGN team, will become crew chief for Green's team. Childress said he has told Berrier he could pick eight people from each of RCR's two BGN teams to help build his Cup team(That's Racin')(7-15-2001)

Humpy Bumper News UPDATE: The "Humpy Bumper," an energy-absorbing safety device that was conceived and developed in Las Vegas, could be on the front ends of Winston Cup cars by the end of next month, according to one of its designers. Jason Schiers, vice president of Las Vegas-based Lew Composites, said the company soon will conduct one final test of the Humpy Bumper for Winston Cup teams at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, and then will begin producing the devices for interested teams. Schiers said the on-track crash test would be more of a marketing tool than an actual data-collecting exercise. Lew Composites already has turned over to NASCAR data from earlier computer simulations and sled crash tests conducted at the University of Daytona Research institute and General Motors. "NASCAR understands the quality of the product and have pretty much given us a green light to put the product on the cars." Schiers said. Although NASCAR will not mandate the use of the Humpy Bumper, it has told the company that it won't prevent teams from using the device in competition. The Humpy Bumper was designed by Lew Composites founder and president Paul Lew along with Schiers and Ted Love. The device, which is expected to sell for about $6,000, will be produced at the company's plant at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway Research and Development Park. Made of a space-age unidirectional graphite fiber, the bumper has proven to lessen the impact on drivers during head-on and near head-on crashes, and will reduce the types of head and neck injuries that killed NASCAR drivers Dale Earnhardt, Adam Petty, Kenny Irwin and Tony Roper, Schiers said.(Las Vegas Sun)(7-13-2001)UPDATE: Winston Cup series director Gary Nelson said he hasn't seen much testing data on the new "Humpy Bumper," a front-bumper device made of a unidirectional graphite fiber that is designed to lessen the impact on drivers during head-on and near head-on crashes. The bumper, developed by Lew Composites of Las Vegas, has undergone computer simulations and sled-crash tests at the University of Dayton Research institute and General Motors. Officials at Lew said they recently turned over data on the testing to NASCAR. "Typically, what NASCAR does is not say much about projects in the development stages, and obviously that one is in the development stage," Nelson said. "Like a doctor, you don't want to prescribe medicine that could cause further problems, so we feel like we have a responsibility to the competitors. "Before we would mandate something, we want to make sure it doesn't cause more problems. This is one of many projects in the development stages." Nelson said it was too early to tell if the device, which costs about $6,000, would be mandated, available for teams to use at their discretion, or perhaps not be approved for us at all.(That's Racin')(7-15-2001)

McDonald's on the Move? UPDATE 3: The future of McDonalds' Winston Cup sponsorship is apparently on the line (currently on the #96 PPI Motorsports Ford with driver Andy Houston), according to NASCAR sources, with #9-Bill Elliott possibly in line to put the golden arches back on his uniform once again. And there are reports that Dodge's dealers association may only be backing one of Ray Evernham's two stock-car teams next season(Winston Salem Journal)(7-6-2001)UPDATE: The Dodge Dealers might be picking up some primary sponsors on Ray Evernham's team. According to a garage source, don't be surprised if McDonald's rejoins Bill Elliott as his sponsor, and Matt Kenseth comes aboard with assistance from his long-time backer, DeWalt(Sporting News), don't know anymore on the DeWalt/Kenseth thing(7-9-2001)UPDATE 2: Despite published reports to the contrary, Dodge Dealers will remain the primary sponsor of both Ray Evernham Motorsports Winston Cup teams next season with drivers Bill Elliott and Casey Atwood, said Dave Elshoff, senior manager of motorsports operations for Dodge. Elshoff said no changes are expected to the primary sponsors of either team. McDonald's has been rumored to want to return to Elliott's team and other reports have said the Dodge Dealers wanted to scale back their involvement. Both are untrue, Elshoff said. Elshoff said the Dodge Dealers have a five-year commitment to sponsor both Evernham-owned teams.(That's Racin')(7-14-2001)UPDATE 3: Bill Elliott--who was sponsored by McDonald's for the previous six years, when he owned his own car--denied rumors he and the fast-food franchise are getting back together. ''As far as them coming back to sponsor me, there's been no dialogue, no conversation, no anything,'' said Elliott, who began driving for owner Ray Evernham's new Dodge program this year. ''[The rumors] really surprise me. They chose to leave me. I don't know why they'd want to come back.''(Chicago Sun Times)(7-15-2001)

Evernham own Chassis: Ray Evernham says his team plans to build its own chassis in the future. That will happen after a new shop is built. Evernham says construction of a 42,000-square-foot building next to his race shop should begin in about two or three months(Racing Extra)(7-15-2001)

Payton to be Honored: Bobby Hamilton's #55 Chevy will carry a tribute to one of Chicago's favorite sons. Employees from his primary sponsor, Square D, voted to put the word Sweetness" on the car to honor the memory of former Bears running back Walter Payton(Savannah Morning News)(7-15-2001)

(7-14-2001)

Gant to Return for a Race? UPDATE: hearing Andy Petree Racing is preparing a car for retired Cup driver Harry Gant to possibly run at Martinsville. Not sure if it to run in the race or as a tribute of some sort. Gant retired from Cup after the 1994 season. That is all I have heard(7-13-2001)UPDATE: hearing Gant will not run the race but it is about restoring his old car and giving it to him at Martinsville on Ict 14th(7-14-2001)

Kyle at New Hampshire? UPDATE 2: Kyle Petty has not decided if he or the #45 Sprint team will race at the New Hampshire race on July 22nd(CNN/SI-NASCAR Plus TV Show)(6-25-2001)UPDATE: Winston Cup driver Kyle Petty, whose oldest son, Adam, was killed in a Grand National series practice session wreck last May at New Hampshire International Speedway, remains unsure whether he will compete in the Winston Cup race at the track next weekend. Tuesday would have been Adam's 21st birthday. Petty skipped both Winston Cup races at the track last season. "Right now I'm considering Chicago, and when I'm done with Chicago I'll see about next week. This week has been a hard week because of Adam's birthday. ... There have been so many things this week that have brought back so many memories," Petty said. "I couldn't bring myself to go back last year and it's kind of crept up on me this year. I'll wait until the first of the week to see where I'm at. Everybody at Petty Enterprises, they know what my position is. They stand behind the whole program."(That's Racin')(7-13-2001)UPDATE: Kyle Petty says he'll announce a decision in a few days on if he'll compete at New Hampshire International Speedway next weekend for the first time since his son, Adam, died in a crash there May 12, 2000. Petty said that the team's crew members also have the option of not going. If Petty does not, Steve Grissom will drive for him. Grissom is the team's test driver and also works as an adviser for Carlos Contreras, who drives for the Petty Enterprises truck series team. The trucks also will race at New Hampshire next weekend, so Grissom already was scheduled to be there(RacingExtra)(7-14-2001)

#81 Team Prepares for Indy: Mark Green will put the #81 Davis & Weight Motorsports on the track for the first time next Monday as the team tests the Indianapolis Motor Speedway on July 16th and 17th. The two-day test session will be used to prepare for the August 5th Brickyard 400, which will be the team's first attempted Winston Cup race. Green competed in ten events in the 2001 BGN season before the team began building cars for next month's Brickyard 400. Although he has never been in a Winston Cup car, Green is excited about attempting the August race. "I am excited about trying to make the Brickyard next month, but I also understand how tough it is going to be. It is very competitive in any type of racing, but even more so in Winston Cup. I know it will take time to get where we want to be, but it would be a great confidence booster if we could test well next week and collect some good information in the test to help us run well there in three weeks," said Green. Davis & Weight Motorsports competed in the Busch Series at the start of the season before announcing they would discontinue their BGN operation after the April 21st Talladega event to focus on their Winston Cup program. The team returned to the BGN one last time to compete in the inaugural race at Kentucky Speedway, where the team matched its season-best finish of 16th.(Davis & Weight Motorsports PR)(7-14-2001)

Autopsy Photo Update: Medical examiners don't need a judge's approval to use autopsy photos in training public officials such as police, but they can't use them in private universities, Attorney General Bob Butterworth said Friday in a legal opinion. Left unclear is whether autopsy photos can be used in classes at public universities under the so-called "Dale Earnhardt law" that bars release of autopsy pictures in most cases. Hillsborough County officials requested the attorney general's interpretation of the law, seeking clarification on how it would affect the county medical examiner's teaching duties. The law was passed this spring after Earnhardt was killed in a last-lap crash at the Daytona 500 in February. His widow sought to block newspapers and Websites from gaining access to the racing legend's autopsy photos, citing the trauma her family would suffer. A judge has upheld the law, and another judge has denied newspapers' efforts to obtain the photos under the new law(Daytona Beach News Journal)(7-14-2001)

Soft Walls: NASCAR continues its involvement in testing of soft-wall technology and NASCAR President Mike Helton says he's been surprised at some of the results, although he wasn't specific. "We've learned a lot," Helton said. "We've been surprised by a lot, quite frankly. That's part of research and development. We've been surprised at how some things don't work the way you would think, which makes it a bigger challenge. We keep changing materials, changing density of material to find that right combination that, No. 1, works ... and No. 2, doesn't create a worse-case scenario than the first problem to start with. That's a very fine line." Helton wouldn't put a timetable on when or if soft walls might be seen in NASCAR.(RacingExtra)(7-14-2001)

#24 Sponsor: Sontara Technologies, an Old Hickory nonwoven wiper manufacturer, will sponsor the Jeff Gordon-driven DuPont car in two NASCAR races this year. The teaming up of Sontara and Gordon are part of a marketing campaign by the local unit of DuPont nonwovens to promote its recently launched line of wiper products for automotive refinishing tasks. Sontara's brand logo is slated to appear on the deck lid of Gordon's #24 car at the July 15 race at the Chicagoland Speedway in Joliet, Ill. In October, the company's logo will appear on the car's TV panel at Lowe's Motor Speedway in Concord, N.C.(Nashville Business Journal)(7-14-2001)

(7-13-2001)

DeWalt Paint Scheme Winners: Close to 7,000 entries were received… and DeWalt and Matt Kenseth announced the winners at DEWALT Employee Appreciation Day earlier this summer. Jesse "Ed" Pack with his Guaranteed Tough. Carbide Saw Blade Scheme and David Stanley with the DEWALT Yellow Magma Scheme have been chosen as the winners of DEWALT's 2002 Racing Paint Scheme Contest. Each will receive 2 tickets and 2 pit passes to the race of their choice and an autographed copy of their Paint Scheme. See images of the cars at the DeWalt Site: Paint Scheme Winners(7-13-2001)

Austin Petty: been asked often about Kyle Petty's son Austin and his plans for racing, never had much of an answer, her is a good column about Austin and his future plans: Another Petty working to step up by Jim Utter of That's Racin'(7-13-2001)

Great Quotes by Little E and BP on this 'fix/conspriacy' junk being tossed around, bu Earnhardt Jr: "It was a great moment in NASCAR history and it got kicked in the (groin)." Pretty much sums it up, anyhow, Dale Earnhardt Jr held a press conference at Chicagoland Speedway today, many stories on my Story/Column Links Page deal with it. And another great quote by Benny Parsons: "It was a great race," Parsons said. "For people to diminish that in some way with the notion of conspiracy is disgusting. It frustrates me to no end. And I'm afraid there are going to be some people out there who buy into that nonsense and may not want to watch. But all you've got to do is see how Dale Jr. jumped out of the car," he said. "That wasn't the reaction of someone who knew ahead of time he was going to win. He can't be that good of an actor."(AJC) and from NASCAR VP Mike Helton: "It was so ludicrous, it was humorous."(7-13-2001)

Crew Members Family in Flood: John Dillon, who normally hauls the fuel cans from pit road to the fuel pumps and back for Mike Skinner's team during Winston Cup races, isn't at the track this weekend. Dillon is in his hometown of Anawalt, W.Va., helping his family and their neighbors recover from flooding that hit the town last weekend. His grandmother nearly drowned in the floodwaters and is still in the hospital. Employees at Richard Childress Racing collected money along with clothes, bedding, food and other supplies for the flood victims this week. Dillon left the shop Wednesday, taking a truck and trailer full of supplies with him.
(That's Racin')(7-13-2001)

NBC Vows to Get Better: NBC wants NASCAR fans to know it is listening, and not just to the Nielsen folks who said Saturday's broadcast of the Pepsi 400 was the highest-rated prime time Winston Cup race in history. The numbers notwithstanding -- NBC's own figures estimate 25-million people tuned in to at least part of the race, and it garnered a 6.1 national rating -- the network is well aware the first broadcast under its six-year deal with NASCAR didn't impress the media or, for the most part, the fans. The first two complaints might resolve themselves Sunday. NBC dug itself a hole by going without a commercial for the first 20 minutes of the race, then threw in more ads later in an effort to catch up. That meant fans didn't get to see many pit stops, which are especially key late in the race. "Some people have said it was lacking," Benny Parsons said Thursday. "If that is a fact, we need to work together. I think the talent is there." Communications director Kevin Sullivan said NBC will be placing more of an emphasis on its pit reporters -- a smart move, because they clearly are the strength of the broadcast team. Lead pit reporter Bill Weber will have an increased role.
(St Petersburg Times)(7-13-2001)

Mark and Matt on Cereal Boxes:Mark Martin and his nine-year-old son Matt will be featured on boxes of Life and Cap'n Crunch(one of Jayski's faves) cereal boxes beginning this month. Matt's quarter-midgets are sponsored by the two cereal brands, while Mark is sponsored by Gatorade. Mark and Matt will be featured on 15 million boxes of cereal nationwide. They are the first father-and-son celebrities featured on Life cereal boxes, which are typically dedicated to everyday kids. Cap'n Crunch will feature Matt in an on-package promotion and offer limited edition Mark and Matt trading cards on the side panel of every box.(Roush Racing PR)(7-13-2001)

Wallace out? UPDATE 3 Gordon In: hearing the NBC station in Charlotte reports that Mike Wallace was released from driving the #7 car earlier Tuesday eveningUPDATE: no official word yet, but sources tell me Wallace has been released and will concentrate on finding another Cup ride and running in the BGN. No word on the replacement driver, but looks like Robby GordonUPDATE 2: FSN's Totally NASCAR reports that Robby Gordon will drive the #7 Ford at Chicagoland Speedway, crew chief Jim Long says it is presently a one race deal AND ESPN2's RPM2Night reported that Wallace was informed of his release by the team secretary. Last Thursday the show mentioned Gordon would drive the car at Chicago. Gordon says it is not yet a done deal BUT NASCAR.com is reporting Wallace out, Gordon for Ultra at Chicago(7-11-2001)UPDATE 3: One week after Mike Wallace guided the No. 7 Ford to a 10th-place finish at Daytona, he was replaced for this weekend's race at Chicagoland with Robby Gordon, who finished second in the car for Ultra Motorsports owner Jim Smith at Sears Point last month. Gordon said he was notified by Smith of the driver change on Wednesday. "It's kind of a pretty last-minute deal," he said. "Owners do what owners want to do, so I feel for (Wallace). I'm not trying to take his job or anything like that, but Jimmy wants to make a change and it's Jimmy's choice." Smith said he is working out contractual issues with Wallace, Gordon and the team sponsor, NationsRent, and hopes to have the driver situation settled soon. "I'm proud of both drivers the last couple of weeks," he said. "This team is starting to come alive. The main goal here is to run well."(That's Racin')(7-13-2001)

(7-12-2001)

Former Broadcaster Killed: Rick Lewis, the "Voice of Daytona" for NASCAR fans throughout the nation, was killed Wednesday night inside his home in South Daytona, where his wife was found shot in the temple. "It looks like an attempted murder-suicide, but right now we don't know,'' said South Daytona Police Department Sgt. Ron Wright. For nearly 18 years, the 52-year-old Lewis was one of Motor Racing Network Radio's studio announcers. More than 640 stations carry MRN in the United States and Canada. In Orlando, his program was broadcast on 740 AM (WQTM). He had weekly recordings in MRN Radio's high-tech studio at the Daytona International Speedway. "I love the sport and don't miss a race,'' he said in the MRN page. "We usually have family over at our house while we listen to MRN's broadcast while watching TV.'' Lewis had been involved in radio since 1983, beginning in his hometown of South Daytona. He was the morning announcer, sold advertising, recorded ads, broadcast football, baseball and basketball games, and announced at the track where his father raced. He also did voice work for Cypress Gardens.(Orlando Sentinel)(7-12-2001)

Stewart's Statement: Tony Stewart Statement Regarding Penalty Levied Against Him by NASCAR - Fined $10,000 and placed on probation for the remainder of the Winston Cup season "While I still disagree with the black flag penalty our team received
prior to the finish of the Pepsi 400, I accept the fine and probation that NASCAR has issued to me as a result of my post-race conduct. Specifically, my treatment of reporter Mike Mulhern and Gary Nelson of NASCAR was inappropriate, and for that I apologize. By the time
the first practice session gets underway Thursday at Chicagoland Speedway, I'll have met with Mike and I'll have apologized to him face
to face. I will look for the same opportunity with Gary Nelson as well. For others I may have offended following the race, I regret that
also. I will continue to work with all those people who support me on handling these types of situations better in the future. We've got a race this weekend in Joliet (Ill.), and that's what we're focusing on now. As frustrating as Daytona was for our race team, we're moving on and putting the past behind us."(Edelman Public Relations Worldwide)(Mike Mulhern is a veteran reporter with the Winston-Salem Journal, see links to his columns on my Story/Column Links page)(7-12-2001)

#5 Gets an Associate at Chicago: Cabot Corporation's name and logo will be prominently displayed on the rear deck and quarter panels of Terry Labonte's #5 Kelloggs Chevy. Cabot has enjoyed a special relationship with Terry Labonte and Hendrick Motorsports. Since 1999, Cabot has supported Hendrick Motorsports through the sharing of high performance materials and technical expertise. ``In our experience, Cabot is an unparalleled technical player,'' said Rick Hendrick, Owner of Hendrick Motorsports. ``When a technical issue is difficult to solve, we look to Cabot for solutions and they deliver.'' Cabot is no stranger to auto racing and has provided reinforcing materials and technology to all of the major producers of racing tires. "Cabot is proud to join two-time Winston Cup Champion Terry Labonte in competition this weekend,'' said Tom Odle, Vice President, Cabot Performance Materials. ``We expect to see a great finish this Sunday. Cabot's customers win with new products when the Hendrick Motorsports team wins on the track.'' Cabot Performance Materials (Boyertown, PA), a supplier of tantalum and other performance products for over 50 years, is a unit of Cabot Corporation. Headquartered in Boston, MA, Cabot Corporation is a global supplier of specialty chemicals and performance materials. Cabot also produces carbon black, fumed silica and metal oxides, thermoplastic concentrates, ink-jet colorants, and drilling fluids(Cabot Corp PR) see a small image on my Paint Scheme Gallery(7-12-2001)

#77 Assoc? hearing the Jasper Motorsports #77 Ford Taurus will have associate sponsorship from Degree Deodorant for the Tropicana 400 this weekend at Chicagoland Speedway(7-12-2001)

Irvan to run a BGN or CTS team? UPDATE looks like CTS: rumors are circulating that retired Cup driver Ernie Irvan is planning on starting a BGN or CTS team with Kevin Conway who drove in the ASA last season. Some sources have the CTS team running as soon as Richmond, another says BGN in 2002UPDATE: indications are that it is the CTS/truck series NOT the BGN. Conway is presently working with the Richard Petty Driving Experience and has been running a Vehicare sponsored Legends car in the Pro division during the Summer Shootout series at Lowes Motor Speedway. Conway drove in ASA last year his sponsor was USA Meats.com his number was 61, Conway was going to run ASA in 2001 but a sponsor backed out. Supposedly Conway will run the ARCA race at Charlotte in October and plan on running the rest of the 2001 CTS schedule from Richmond on and the entire 2002 CTS Schedule. AND Hearing that Irvan has a Monday night spot on Winston-Salem's NBC WXII at 6:00pm/et called Racing With Ernie and comments were made about Conway being Irvan's protege and to look for Irvan (as owner, not driver) to go racing soon with Conway in BGN & CTS(7-12-2001)

Another Andretti? Preston Countryman has had a lifelong passion about auto racing, and now he's getting an even bigger thrill by participating. First he started driving race cars, then this year he decided to start a NASCAR team. Now he's having five race cars built, he's bought a couple of car carriers and he says he's signed a big-name rookie driver to launch a $1 million effort to win the 2002 Featherlite Southwest Series. Countryman has been in business for 24 years, but his work as a certified public accountant and business consultant doesn't fire him up like his latest venture: building a NASCAR race team around driver Adam Andretti. Now he says he's about to employ one, the 22-year-old nephew of racing legend Mario Andretti, to be his lead driver. The hiring of the younger Andretti couldn't be confirmed by the family, but NASCAR officials did confirm that Countryman has a team owner's license. In addition to Andretti, Countryman said he will have another driver to race in the 2002 Featherlite Southwest Tour, which is a regional stock car racing minor league to the NASCAR Busch series, which is itself the league of up-and-coming race drivers before the championship NASCAR Winston Cup series(Sacramento Business Journal)(6-25-2001)

UPDATE: In just three months, Countryman has had three cars built and a fourth on the way for testing as he sets his sights on competing in the remaining four races in the NASCAR Southwest Featherlite Series, the equivalent of Double-A baseball. Key members of the Countryman team are Aldo Andretti and his son Adam. Aldo, 61, the twin brother of racing legend Mario Andretti and father of NASCAR driver John Andretti, is the official adviser to Countryman. Adam, 22, will be Countryman's driver. Adam and Aldo Andretti recently came to town to view one of the cars and the hauler Countryman had built. Countryman Motorsports is self-funded this year, though Countryman is actively seeking a major sponsor. He budgeted between $500,000 and $750,000 to start his team and is having more cars built for ARCA (American Racing Club of America) and ASA (American Speed Association) races next year that fall between the Southwest Featherlite race dates.(Sacramento Bee)(7-12-2001)

Cope to run the Chicago BGN race: Derrike Cope and the #94 NuHouse Properties race team head to Chicago for this weekend's Hills Brothers 300 Busch race with a little help from Coinstar, the company who makes self-service coin counting machines located at the front entrances of leading supermarkets nationwide. Joe Bush piloted the #94 Chevrolet last at the Milwaukee Mile two weeks ago, finishing 29th after running out of gas with just several laps to go. Now Cope will join the team in hopes of putting together a strong run at Chicagoland this weekend. "We finished setting up this car very early in the morning. We worked on it all night long to get ready to go to Chicago, and we feel like we have a good car for the weekend," said crew chief Brian Bass. "Derrike is great on the faster speedways. He drives the car really deep into the corner, and is not afraid to push it to the edge. We are running his shocks, which his company produces, and we have some help from CRD for our engines, so we will just have to see how it all shakes out." "We are trying to run as many races as we can. Coinstar has come on board for Chicago, and we are hoping they will see the value in joining us in more races later on. Our crew chief is experienced, the car looks good and the crew works very hard to be successful. We are definitely running Gateway and Pikes Peak later on, but the rest will depend on financial backing," said team owner Fred Bickford. Cope is also focusing on putting his own car on the track in the Winston Cup series later this year in the #37 Quest Motor Racing Pontiac. "We are hoping to run several races later this year. We are actively seeking sponsorship for a Cup deal in the second half of the season. We continue to talk to companies, and we are looking at trying to do five to ten races in the second half at some of the companion events like Darlington and Bristol. Right now we have a couple of cars, and if we can get some financial backing that will really help us reach our goal of running Winston Cup later this year," remarked Cope(BGN Racing)(7-12-2001)

(7-11-2001)

Geoffrey Bodine returns to Cup UPDATE 2 Smirnoff Ice the sponsor: FSN's Totally NASCAR resports that Geoffrey Bodine is expected to run two Cup races for his brother Brett at Bristol and Homestead. Brett is supposedly close to signing two major sponsors. Brett drives and ownes the #11 Ralphs Supermarkets Fords, past rumors had the car number as #91(7-3-2001)UPDATE: Since being let go from his #60 Chevrolet Winston Cup ride last year, Geoffrey Bodine has been striving to get back into NASCAR's top level. Well, it looks like he's going to do just that for at least one race. The elder Bodine will attempt to qualify for the August 25 night time event at Bristol Motor Speedway in a deal with Brett Bodine. He was supposed to run one race in Charlotte this year, but that deal fell through. "This deal is a definite," Geoffrey said. "Right now, it looks like it's going to be a go for the Bristol event."(NASCAR.com Buzz)(7-8-2001)UPDATE 2: Brett Bodine Racing will field a second Ford Taurus for Geoffrey Bodine for the NASCAR Winston Cup Series event at Bristol Motor Speedway on August 25th. A premium malt beverage, launched in the U.S. in January of this year, Smirnoff Ice will make its NASCAR debut as the sponsor of the #09 entry from the Mooresville, NC based operation. Owner Brett Bodine looks forward to the opportunity. "I have been committed to assisting my brother in any way possible to stay in this sport. It just took some time to put a deal together that was right for all of us. It's a great opportunity to introduce a new sponsor to NASCAR Winston Cup racing and at the same time see Geoffrey continue his long Winston Cup racing career. We hope this is a beginning of more things to come," stated Brett. Geoffrey added his enthusiasm, "This is something my brother and I have dreamed about. Racing together is one thing, but racing together as a team is another. I hope and dream that everything will work out for the best. It's exciting to have things come together for us and I look forward to showcasing a new sponsor and having Brett as a teammate." Smirnoff Ice (www.smirnoffice.com) is a lightly carbonated, citrus flavor malt beverage from Guinness Bass Import Co/UDV North America Inc., a division of Diageo plc in the USA and Canada, one of the world's leading consumer brand companies which operates in over 200 markets worldwide and has international sales of 17.3 billion dollars(Brett Bodine Racing PR), being asked so....Why is Smirnoff Ice ok but Crown was no ok'd by NASCAR for the #27 Eel River Racing team? As far as I know, NASCAR doesn't allow hard liquior sponsors (Whiskey, Vodka, etc) but allows Beer. Malt Liquior etc, Smiroff Ice is similar to a Malt Liquor, like Zima. Have a problem with that line of thinking? Feel free to contact NASCAR, see my Racing FAQ page for contact info and a link to their feedback form(7-11-2001)

Earnhardt Honored: The Legislature honored the family of Dale Earnhardt on Tuesday by approving a resolution praising the late NASCAR driver and his contributions to his home state of North Carolina. Earnhardt's mother, Martha, and daughter, Kelly, sat in the House and Senate galleries as lawmakers heaped praise upon the seven-time Winston Cup champion killed Feb. 18 in a crash during the Daytona 500(News and Observer/AP)(7-11-2001)

Stewart in Trouble UPDATE Suspension? UPDATE 4 Fined and Extended Probation: Tony Stewart faces disciplinary action from NASCAR this week as a result of his confrontations with a member of the motorsports media and Winston Cup series director Gary Nelson following Saturday night's Pepsi 400 at Daytona. With four laps of 160 laps remaining, Stewart drove his #20 below the yellow line that outlines the start of the racing surface. Drivers were warned before the race by NASCAR President Mike Helton any driver who drove below the line to advance a position would be black-flagged. When the incident happened, NASCAR officials signaled for Stewart to be penalized. However, disagreeing with the call, Stewart failed to report to pit road to answer the black flag and finished the race, crossing the finish line in sixth position. Angry at NASCAR's decision, Stewart responded to a question about the incident from Winston-Salem motorsports writer Mike Mulhern by slapping Mulhern's tape recorder out of his hand. When Mulhern went to pick it up, Stewart kicked it under one of the haulers. Stewart then went to the NASCAR hauler to complain about the call. He and his team believe Stewart's Pontiac was forced below the yellow line by driver Johnny Benson. Stewart found Nelson near the side entrance of the NASCAR hauler and angrily confronted him. He had to be held away from Nelson by his car owner, Joe Gibbs, and crew chief Greg Zipadelli. Stewart then left the area and the track. Gibbs and Zipadelli met with Nelson in an effort to explain their position. NASCAR spokesman John Griffin said NASCAR officials reviewed film of the incident and stand behind their original call. Griffin also said Stewart, who remains under probation for spinning Jeff Gordon's Chevrolet on pit road following the race at Bristol in March, will face additional penalties for his actions after Saturday's race. As a result of his failure to answer the black flag, Stewart was moved from sixth to 26th in the finishing order, the last car on the lead lap(That's Racin') and story at NASCAR.com: Stewart dropped to 26th. The change cost Stewart 65 in valuable Winston Cup Points. Also an AP story ay the CBS Site: Stewart docked 20 finishing positions for ignoring black flag. Mike Mulhern was pretty kind in today's column - Earnhardt stuns Daytona(7-8-2001)UPDATE: hearing Stewart is facing a suspension of as little as one race to as many as three races, yikes. Remember, Stewart was fined $10,000 and put on probation until 8/29 for bumping Jeff Gordon on pit road after the Bristol race in March (but I can't believe they will do so). AND NASCAR officials weren't the only ones upset with Stewart. So was #93- Dave Blaney. "I was right down on the bottom of the race track, and he must have run across the apron and smashed into the side of me," Blaney said. "It turned my car clear sideways. It was the stupidest thing I've seen on his part. I don't know what he was thinking."(Winston Salem Journal)UPDATE 2: FSN's Totally NASCAR is reporting that Stewart is facing a probable fine and one race suspensionAND: Any penalties from NASCAR against Tony Stewart for his post-race blowups at the Pepsi 400 were expected to be handed down Tuesday. That is the same day Stewart was to attend his grandfather's funeral. Carroll Stewart, 89, died Saturday night in Lafayette, IN. Stewart wasn't told of the death until after his confrontations with a Winston Cup official and a reporter following Saturday night's race at Daytona International Speedway, his spokesman, Mike Arning, said Monday. Arning said the funeral services were set for Tuesday(AP)(7-9-2001)UPDATE 3: NASCAR officials, out of respect for Tony Stewart's late grandfather, will wait until Wednesday morning to make a decision on his immediate driving future(NASCAR.com), ESPN2's RPM 2Night says their sources say the only penalty will be in the wallet (money) with no suspension(7-10-2001)UPDATE 3: Tony Stewart was fined $10,000 by NASCAR as a result of confrontations following Saturday night's Pepsi 400 at Daytona. Stewart's probation was also extended(That's Racin') AND additionally, Stewart, who was already under probation by the sanctioning body stemming from an incident at Bristol in March, had his probation extended from Aug. 29, to Nov. 21, 2001. If he further violates the probation, he could be fined and/or lose championship points, finishing positions and suspension from NASCAR. In addition to the fine and the probation extension, Stewart will be required to issue a formal apology to a media member(Mulhern) for his confrontational actions on Saturday night, as well as issue a formal apology to NASCAR fans(NASCAR.com)(7-11-2001)

#50 skips Chicago: Rick Mast said the #50 Midwest Transit/Blair.com team had planned to test at Chicagoland last week, but couldn't and has decided not attempt this weekends Cup race at Chicagoland Speedway in favor of preparing for Indy by testing at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway sometime next week. Mast also feels that he and the team are ready to be competitive at the upcoming New Hampshire and Pocono venues(Racin' with Russ on ESPN 1240-Virginia)(7-11-2001)

Sadler at Indy: Hermie Sadler has dreamed of competing at the Brickyard since his days of racing began as a kid in Southern Virginia. Sadler will begin.pursuit of his.dream when he unloads at Indianapolis Motor Speedway for a Winston Cup test session on July 16 and 17, in preparation for upcoming Brickyard 400. Since the disappointment of failing to qualify at Richmond, Sadler has moved his Winston Cup operation back to his race shop in South Hill, VA, and has made several changes that he hopes will make a difference. According to Sadler, "I definitely think we will be better prepared for our races in the second half of the season.. In addition to moving the team to South Hill, we are building some new cars and have changed our engine program.. I am very excited about going back to the race track.. Going to Indianapolis Motor Speedway is a dream come true, but more importantly it will be a good indicator of how much progress we have made and what areas we need to work on before we head back to.Richmond and Martinsville, which are big races for my team and the Virginia Lottery." Sadler will be carrying Lotto Virginia colors on the hood of his car at Indianapolis, but is still seeking primary sponsorship for the Brickyard 400(Sadler Enterprises PR)(7-11-2001)

Murry to drive at The Glen? Hearing that veteran road racer David Murry is in negotiations with a single-car Winston Cup operation to run a second car for him at Watkins Glen next month. An Atlanta resident, Murry
last drove in a Cup race at Watkins Glen in 1999 for an ARCA team. He got in the show on time and ran as high as eighth, before suffering an oil line problem and finishing 36th. Along with fellow road racers Ron Fellows and Boris Said, Murry has been competing in both the American Le Mans Series and the Grand Am Series this season(7-11-2001)

Dodge Motorsports Scholarship Program - extended: Dodge Motorsports has announced that it has moved the application deadline for its motorsports scholarship program from July 11 to July 17, 2001. Dodge continues to seek qualified candidates for its motorsports diversity scholarship program. Applications may be downloaded from the Dodge website at www.4adodge.com/racing or Universal Technical Institute website at www.uticorp.com. Interested persons may also request an application by phoning the toll free scholarship hotline at (866) 256-8954. Dodge's Motorsports diversity scholarship program aims to attract, recruit and train minorities for positions within the automotive and motorsports industry. Qualified scholarship recipients will receive NASCAR-approved training at Universal Technical Institute (UTI) in Houston, Texas. Scholarships will cover costs associated with tuition and housing for the one-year automotive technology program. Students will receive training in a broad range of technical disciplines including diagnostic analysis and mechanical and electrical systems. Upon successful completion of the training program, graduates may be invited to join the Dodge racing teams as entry level technicians. To be considered for one of the six scholarships available this year, interested minority applicants must have successfully completed high school or be enrolled and in good academic standing at a post-secondary institution. Also, recipients will be required to take the Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) examination(Golin/Harris PR)(7-11-2001)

America's Most Wanted to Sponsor a Team? UPDATE: The television show "America’s Most Wanted" may soon be featured on a Winston Cup stock car, provided plans being finalized by the Denver, N.C., (not Colorado) firm Body Dynamics Racing Bodies and Straight Shooter Productions reach fruition. Straight Shooter produces "America’s Most Wanted," which assists in the recovery of missing persons and apprehension of criminals. The host of the show, John Walsh, said, "To have the opportunity to have the children’s faces out in front of the multitudes of loyal NASCAR fans, we are sure to recover some of these kids, due to the fact that 77 percent of all recovered children are done so by projects similar to this." "We still have a few issues to finalize," added Scott Davis of Body Dynamics Racing Bodies, "but once these are in place, this will be a successful project and concept."(Gaston Gazette). They are on the #92 Dodge this weekend, see next story and image(7-7-2001)UPDATE: With the announcement last Thursday from Daytona USA that Body Dynamics Racing Bodies, Inc. and Straight Shooter Productions, Producers of Americas Most Wanted have come together to work towards a NASCAR team sponsorship for 2002 and beyond for Americas Most Wanted program has generated some major interest in the press. While in Daytona, Scott Davis Media Relations Director for Body Dynamics Racing was approached by the Daytona News Journal and the Volusia County Sheriffs office to assist in the missing persons case of a Grandmother and her 10-year-old Grandson, Joshua Bryant and Lillian R. Martin who have been missing since 05/12/2000. "Since we had already made arrangements for Chandra Levy to be placed on the Melling Racing Cup car, I knew we would have to come up with a different venue to cover the same market", Stated Davis, "So we made an offer to the Volusia County Sheriffs Department to place the photos of Joshua Bryant and Lillian R. Martin on our website www.BodyDynamicsRacing.com as well as work with a team to place the photo's on their car for the race this weekend such as we did with Melling Racing in Daytona."(Body Dynamics Racing Bodies PR)(7-11-2001)

Gibbs Sponsor: SDRC announced it has renewed and expanded the company's marketing alliance with Joe Gibbs Racing with a five-year contract effective immediately. The Gibbs' engineering team uses I-DEAS(R) on Hewlett-Packard Company's workstation platform for design, analysis, and manufacturing requirements on the team's high-performance racecars(Business Wire)(7-11-2001)

NBC Ratings UPDATE 2 National News: NBC’s coverage of the Pepsi 400 from Daytona on Saturday night delivered a 5.8 overnight rating/11 share for the 8 p.m.-11:15 p.m. broadcast, making it the highest-rated primetime NASCAR race ever, according to figures released today by Nielsen Media Research. The 5.7 overnight rating represents a 41% increase over last year’s 4.1 overnight rating/9 share on CBS and surpassed the previous record 4.9 overnight rating/10 share for the Lowe’s 600 May 27 on Fox to become NASCAR’s highest-rated primetime race to date. The rating, which increased every half-hour until the race’s dramatic conclusion, peaked with a 7.0/13 while Dale Earnhardt Jr. was making his move from sixth-place to first on the race’s final five laps and crossing the finish line to NBC play-by-play announcer Allen Bestwick’s call of “Dale Earnhardt Jr., using lessons learned from his father to go from sixth to first and score the victory in the Pepsi 400.” Earnhardt’s win came on the same track where his father perished in a final lap crash Feb. 18 at the Daytona 500 and, as lead pit reporter Bill Weber told him in his Victory Lane interview, 11 years to the day from his father’s first Winston Cup win at Daytona on July 7, 1990. The Pepsi 400 was the first race in NBC and TNT’s new six-year agreement with NASCAR to telecast “The Race for the Championship” over the second half of the NASCAR season. National ratings are expected to be available Tuesday.(NBC PR)(7-8-2001)UPDATE: The overnight rating for the Pepsi 400 on NBC was a 5.8 -- a 41 percent increase from last year's Pepsi 400. It was the first race for NBC as part of the $2.4 billion NASCAR television deal with NBC and Fox. The tune-in increased each half-hour during the race, going from 5.0 to 7.0. An overnight rating measures households in the country's 50 largest markets, about 60 percent of the country. The market with the largest audience was Greensboro, N.C., at 14.2, followed by Orlando with a 13.5. New York was the country's lowest market at 2.8.(Daytona Beach News Journal)(7-9-2001)UPDATE 2: NBC’s coverage of Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s dramatic victory at the Pepsi 400 from Daytona International Speedway on Saturday night was the highest-rated primetime NASCAR race in history. It delivered a 6.1 national rating/13 share for the 8-11:15
p.m. ET broadcast, according to figures released today by Nielsen Media Research. NBC Sports research estimates that 25 million viewers watched all or part of the telecast, which was network television’s highest-rated program Saturday night. The Pepsi 400 was the first race in NBC and TNT’s new six-year agreement with NASCAR to telecast “The Race for the Championship” over the second half of the NASCAR season. NBC’s 4.4 rating among the highly coveted 18-49 adult demographic from 8-11 p.m. also lapped the field as CBS registered a 1.6, ABC a 2.2 and Fox a 2.5 in that desired demographic Saturday. The strong performance by the Pepsi 400 propelled NBC to a primetime ratings victory Saturday night. From 8-11 p.m. ET, NBC’s 6.1 rating/13 share easily outdistanced the competition. ABC and Fox each averaged an identical 4.1 rating/8 share while CBS posted a 4.0/8. NBC’s 6.1/13 for the Pepsi 400 represents a 17% increase over last year’s 5.2/12 on CBS. The previous primetime record for a NASCAR race was a 5.4/13 for the July 3, 1999 running of the Pepsi 400 on CBS. The rating, which increased every half-hour until the race’s dramatic conclusion, peaked with a 7.4/15 from 10:30-11:00 p.m. ET while Dale Earnhardt Jr. was making his move from sixth-place to first on the race’s final six laps(NBC PR)(7-11-2001)

(7-10-2001)

Rusty Cruises: Following the highly successful debut of the first "Rusty Wallace Cruise" aboard the 2,052-passenger "Fun Ship" Fascination last month, Carnival Cruise Lines has announced that the NASCAR Winston Cup champion will host two additional "racing-themed" voyages in spring and fall 2002. The 2002 "Rusty Wallace Cruise" schedule includes a four-day western Caribbean sailing aboard the 2,052-passenger Imagination departing May 9, and a seven-day eastern Caribbean voyage aboard the 2,758-passenger Carnival Triumph departing Dec. 7. Another "Rusty Wallace Cruise" departing Dec. 9, 2001, aboard the 2,052-passenger Sensation from Tampa is nearly sold out.(Catchfence)(7-10-2001)

BBBSA Update: Johnny Benson's performance in the #10 Valvoline Pontiac, combined with contributions from Valvoline and NASCAR fans, has brought the current total raised for Big Brothers Big Sisters since 1999 to $589,829. Valvoline is donating $5,000 for every Winston Cup race Benson wins, $2,500 for each pole, $1,000 for a top-10 finish, $500 for a top-20 result and $20 per lap Benson leads in this "Caring Hands" program. Valvoline will donate $1 million to Big Brothers Big Sisters if Benson is able to win both the Winston Cup pole and race on the same weekend(Valvoline PR)(7-10-2001)

TRAC News: Team Racing Auto Circuit (TRAC), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Team Sports Entertainment, Inc. (NASDAQ: TSEI), announced today that it has signed an agreement with NASCAR merchandise leader, Sports Design, Inc. to design, develop and administer a national merchandise licensing program for its new stock car racing series set to begin in 2003. The program will feature a limited line of officially-licensed merchandise to be available over the internet at traczone.com, via direct mail through Sports Design's catalog, through participating retail outlets and at a multitude of motorsports events where Sports Design sells other licensed motorsports products.(TRAC PR), see more info on the series at my TRAC page(7-10-2001)

(7-9-2001)

McDonald's on the Move? UPDATE and DeWalt? The future of McDonalds' Winston Cup sponsorship is apparently on the line (currently on the #96 PPI Motorsports Ford with driver Andy Houston), according to NASCAR sources, with #9-Bill Elliott possibly in line to put the golden arches back on his uniform once again. And there are reports that Dodge's dealers association may only be backing one of Ray Evernham's two stock-car teams next season(Winston Salem Journal)(7-6-2001)UPDATE: The Dodge Dealers might be picking up some primary sponsors on Ray Evernham's team. According to a garage source, don't be surprised if McDonald's rejoins Bill Elliott as his sponsor, and Matt Kenseth comes aboard with assistance from his long-time backer, DeWalt(Sporting News), don't know anymore on the DeWalt/Kenseth thing(7-9-2001)

Brett's best since 1997: #11-Brett Bodine, who finished 9th, had his first top-10 finish since a 6th at Sears Point in May 1997(7-9-2001)

Rules Change in the future? NASCAR officials are talking about ordering a major rules change for the October Talladega race, a physically larger car, as much as three inches taller, with a straighter windshield, to slow the cars aerodynamically and allow drivers to use more powerful engines, hopefully to help break up the large pack(Winston Salem Journal)(7-9-2001)

Valvoline and Daytona: Valvoline and Daytona International Speedway have signed a multi-year agreement in which Valvoline will become the official motor oil for the Daytona USA, the Speedway and all of its events including the Daytona 500. As part of the agreement, Valvoline joins seven other companies as official corporate sponsors of the Daytona 500 with Pontiac, VISA, Hot Wheels, Pepsi, Kmart, AT&T and Motorola. Valvoline's status as official motor oil does not effect 76's position as the official fuel of NASCAR(SpeedVision)(7-9-2001)

Waste Management signs with NASCAR: Waste Management Inc. recently signed a multi-year sponsorship with NASCAR, calling for the Houston-based company to spend between $2 million and $3 million a year on a national marketing campaign. As the exclusive waste services sponsor of the car racing league, Waste Management will be able to use the NASCAR logo in its marketing materials. The company will spend money on rights fees, advertising, marketing programs and marketing deals with various racetracks. There are 140 NASCAR-affiliated tracks -- 30 of which host national racing events. The 30-year-old waste retrieval company serves 25 million residential customers and 2 million commercial customers in 48 states. The business is roughly organized as 1,500 separate operating units that serve Waste Management's various markets. The NASCAR sponsorship is part of Waste Management's overall marketing plan set to launch in 2002. Knapp, who also will help local markets with their advertising, does not know how much the firm will ultimately spend on its annual marketing budget. One goal of revving up with NASCAR is the chance to do business with other NASCAR sponsors, licensees, tracks and race teams, Knapp says.(Houston Business Journal)(7-9-2001)